Kids’ Chance of Arkansas was incorporated in 2001 with the mission of providing scholarships to the dependents of deceased and permanently totally disabled workers with compensable Arkansas workers’ compensation claims. Through 2024, the Kids’ Chance of Arkansas scholarship program has awarded 519 scholarships totaling $1,096,125. Funding for these scholarships is made possible through the generosity of corporate and individual donors, as well as fund raising events like the Kids’ Chance of Arkansas Charity Golf Tournament. In addition, Act 1757 of 2001 granted the Workers’ Compensation Commission the authority to donate any excess funds from the Commission’s annual educational conference to Kids’ Chance of Arkansas.

Although the Workers’ Compensation Commission assists Kids’ Chance of Arkansas in identifying and providing information about the scholarship fund to eligible dependents, Kids’ Chance of Arkansas is an entirely separate entity, complete with its own board of directors, corporate structure and by-laws.

The revised application will be available by January 15th of each year. The deadline for submitting a completed application package is May 15th of each year. The completed application and all supporting documentation must be received no later than May 15th of each year. Incomplete applications, applications missing supporting documents and applications received after the deadline will not be considered for a scholarship award.

Applicants must be at least 16 and no older than 22 years of age to enter the program. The death of or injury to the parent must have resulted in a decrease of family earnings, creating an impediment to the applicant’s education. Applicants must demonstrate good academic achievement and aptitude. Scholarships may be used to attend accredited vocation/technical schools, colleges or universities.

Scholarship recipients will be notified of their award by July 1st. Checks are presented at the annual Kids’ Chance of Arkansas Scholarship Awards Ceremony and reception at the Governor’s Mansion in July. Those recipients unable to attend the ceremony will receive their scholarship awards by mail.

Kids’ Chance brings together employers, insurers, employee groups and others involved in workers’ compensation matters to provide assistance for education to those qualifying dependent children.

Your support of the Kids’ Chance of Arkansas Chariy Golf Tournament and important educational scholarship program helps to provide an opportunity for college age children to pursue educational goals and fulfill their dreams for the future.